Fire escape



E. GROSS FIRE ESCAPE Dec. 4, 1934.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June '7, 1935 gwuznto'o fa Wara 6%0017 Dec. 4, 1934. E GROSS 1,982,865

FIRE ESCAPE Filed June 7, 1933 s Sheets-Sheet ,2

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- Filed June 7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES FIRE ESCAPE Edward Gross,

Portland, Oreg.

Application June '7, 1933, Serial No. 674,634

8 Claims.

The primary object of my invention is to provide means whereby persons fleeing from a burning building via the fire escapes will be permitted to reach the ground without experiencing the delays and hazards incident to the use of present fire escapes. As ordinarily constructed, persons arriving at the lower platforms oi fire escapes must either jump or drop to the ground, or be delayed pending the arrival of fire fighting ap l0 paratus to supply a ladder for their use. Such experiences are most unpleasant for the average person, while for children, aged persons and persons physically incapacitated, they might possibly result in serious injury. My new and improved device will provide means whereby such hazards may be eliminated.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the apparatus may be caused to function in the least time interval consistent with safety.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device that may be actuated by any person able to use a fire escape, such actuating means being extremely simple, requiring but a small amount of energy, and being resistant to the in clemencies of the elements.

A still further object of my invention is to pro-f vide a device that may be readily fitted to existing fire escapes and adjusted to nullify obstacles to satisfactory functioning, such as sloping sidewalks, and the like.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the device may be quickly and easily reset to the normal operating position. A still further object of my invention is to provide a device that will give long service with freedom from mechanical operating annoyances. A still further object of my invention consists in so constructing and assembling the device that 40 the ladder may be drawn into vertical position through the lifting action that is applied at the time the assembly is to be raised into its normal position and out of engagement with the sidewalk.

And a still further object of my invention consists in so supporting the assembly above the sidewalk that the same may be easily released from the lower end of the side rails of theladder to compensate for differences in elevation of the sidewalk.

And a still further object of my invention consists in providing a locking device for the ladder that is actuated into locking position through the action'of gravity and which will automatically release the lower end of the ladder from locked position when the device is lowered and the lower extremity of the locking deviceengages the sidewalk.

With'these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in the appended claims, and a preferred form of embodiment or which is hereinafter shown with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of my new and improved fire escape shown fully lowered and with the ladder in the outwardly extended position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the cylinder guide bracket illustrating the attachment of the bracket to the flre'escape platform, and the relative positions of the column. This view is taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view ofthe mechanism illustratedin Fig. 3 taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 5 is. a fragmentary sectional side view of the hydraulic cylinder and the bottom end of the piston rod in which the escapement valve. is disposed. V

Fig.6 is a fragmentary side view of the assembled device shown in raised and supported position relative to the fixed fire escape that is secured tothe building. M

Fig. 'lisa front view of the mechanism illustrated. in Fig. 6 and showing more fully .the method of raising the assembled device.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged front view of thelower end of the adjustable support for the cylinders and ladder. This view illustrates the adjustable feature adapting the support to a sloping sidewalk- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional side view of one side of the lower end of the adjustable support and the ladder, illustrating the lower end of the ladder as having been released from its normal vertical position. This view is taken. on

line 99 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction indicated. I Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of the mechanism, illustrated in Fig. 8. This view illustrates the lower end of the ladder as having been released but before it has rolled, into the position shown in Fig. 9. This view is taken on line -10 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan view of the lower end 10 of the ladder support and illustrates the release mechanism and the support mechanism taken on line 1111 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction inclicated.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

I have here shown my invention as being associated with the fire escape of a building in which the platform 1 is adjacent the second floor of the building and the platform 2 is adjacent the third floor of the building with a ladder 3 interconnecting the platform 1 with the platform 2. Generally speaking, it is the custom in America to deliver the occupants of a building to the plata form 1 and therefrom to lower them by dropping the remaining distance or by lowering through facilities provided by fire fighting crews or through the use of tilting devices.

In my new and improved device, I provide a pair of hydraulic cylinders 4 and 5 having piston "rods 6 and 7 disposed within and extending from the cylinders. The piston rods are suspended from a cross header bar 8 that is secured to the platform 2. This header bar is secured to the ,upper rail 9 of the platform 2 and is reinforced *"through the use of brackets 10 and 10A. The upper ends of piston rods 6 and '7 are secured to the cross bar 8 by any suitable fastening means, as by threaded nuts 11 and 12 that are thread- ,ably secured to the upper end of the piston rods. A suitable working connection is formed between the respective piston rods and cylinders through the use of stuffing boxes 13 and 14. Referring to Fig. 5, I show the working relationship between the valves, the lower ends of the respective pis- "ton rods and the cylinders.

The piston rods terminate at their lower ends in foot valves 21, removably secured thereto. The flanged portion 15 of each of the foot valves provides a restricted annular escapement pas- 'sageway 16 between itself and the inner surface of the cylinder. A valve seat 17, with coacting ball valve 18 normally seated by gravity and closing port 19, is disposed within the foot valve.

A plurality of ports 20 extend through the walls ""of the foot valve in communication between the portion of the cylinder below the base of the valve the assembly is being raised, ball valve 18 is- T 'fted by hydraulic pressure from the seat 1'7, *permitting augmented open hydraulic communication between the cylinder space below the foot valve and the cylinder space above the foot valve via port 19 and ports 20. For raising the assem- In the.

.,., b1y, I provide any suitable Windlass.

' "simple formherein disclosed, I provide a pair of end frames 22 and 23 supported upon the cross bar 8.

A shaft 24 is journaled within the end frames raised, the goose neck 55 of the locking yoke 53,

M and is adapted for rotation by any suitable *means, either manual or mechanical. As here shown it may be indirectly rotated by a hand crank 25, removably secured to a secondary shaft 28, journaled within the end frames, and coacting gears 29 and 30 of a suitable ratio to facilitate raising the assembly. A winding spool or drum 26 is slidably disposed upon shaft 24 and restrained from rotation thereupon by spline key 27. A line 31 with hook 32 disposed upon the lower end thereof, is disposed about the drum 26 with one end secured thereto. Facilities are provided in the top rung or step of the ladder whereby the hook may be attached when it is desired to raise the assembly to its normal position.

Journal bolts 40 and 41.

When it is desired to elevate the assembly to its normal raised position, the sleeves 36 and 37 rise as the ladder is raised until they engage the fixed bands 38 that limit the upward movement of the ladder relative to the cylinder assembly; and thereafter the ladder, the cylinder assembly and the appurtenances secured thereto, are elevated. In being raised the ladder assumes a vertical position as illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7. A cross member 42 is disposed at the base of the hydraulic cylinders 4 and 5 and is secured thereto to space apart the cylinders. Sleeve members 43 and 44, secured at the opposite ends of the cross member 42, encompass the lower ends of the hydraulic cylinders 4 and 5. Collars 45 and 46 are disposed about the hydraulic cylinders and limit the relative upward movement of sleeves 43 and 44. Caps 47 and 48 close the ends of the cylinders and limit the relative downward movement of sleeves 43 and 44. Inclined approaches 49 and 50 are secured to the cross brace 42. Trunnion wheels 51 and 52 are secured to the lower ends of the side rails 33 and 34 of the ladder. The trunnion wheels are suitably journaled and will travel outwardly upon and beyond the inclined approaches 49 and 50 until the sleeves 36 and 37 at the upper end of the ladder reach the fixed bands 39 disposed about the cylinders. A locking yoke 53, best illustrated in detail in Fig. 10, is maintained in registerable alignment in a guide block 54. The locking yoke 53 terminates at its upper end in a goose neck 55 and at its lower end in a foot 56.

betweenthe side rails 33 and 34 of the ladder and i at their lower ends. This locking means retains the ladder in its normally vertical position within the assembly when the assembly is being supported upon the line 31. When the assembly is raised to normal position a locking lever 58 is manipulated so that the hooks 59 and 59A en gage the underside of a cross bar 60, fixed to the hydraulic cylinders by means of brackets 61 and 61A, and when so supported the entire assembly is retained in its normal position and the hook 32 may be released. When the assembly is so.

through the action of gravity, engages the cross port, a

bar 5'1 and maintains the ladder'in fixed vertical position betweenthe hydraulic cylinders.

When it is required to utilize my device, as to permit the descent of fire trapped victims from fire escape platform 1, the locking lever 58 is manipulated and the assembly released to descend by gravity. The hydraulic check effected within the hydraulic cylinders by the restricted flow of the liquid therein contained, about the flanged portion of the foot valve through port 16 prevents a too rapid descent of the assembly.

When the foot 56 strikes the ground or sidewalk the locking yoke and goose neck are raised, releasing cross bar 57 and permitting the trunnion wheels, which terminate the ladder, to roll down the inclined'approaches 49 and 50. This action places the ladder in an inclined position to facilitate the descent of the occupants from platform 1. The angle of declination of the ladder is limited by the stops 39 disposed upon the hydraulic cylinders. Hand rails 62 and 62A are secured to respective side rails 33 and 34.

To compensate for irregularities in the surfaces of sidewalks or other supporting surfaces, it is necessary that the sleeve members 43 and 44 be vertically adjustable. I accomplish this by securing to the cross brace 42 the plate portions 63 and 63A that are made integral with the sleeve members. This is best illustrated in Fig. 8 which illustrates the plates as having been adjusted to a sloping surface. I provide a plurality of slots- 64 the respective plates through which fas toning bolts 65 are made to pass to thereby provide facilities for independently adjusting the plates relative to the cross brace 42. The inclined approaches 49 and 50 are secured to a boss that may be made integral with the plate sleeve members 43 and 44, and as the respective plates are adjusted, the inclined approaches are also adjusted. To compensate for this adjustment it is also necessary to adjust the trunnion wheels to conform to the adjustment made on the plates and their associated elements. I accomplish this by securing the trunnion wheels to adjustable supporting plates 66 and 67. I provide a plurality of vertically disposed slots 68 within the respective plates 66 and 67, permitting them to be adjustably secured to the side rails 33 and 34 of the ladder by means of fastening bolts 69.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the embodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of hydraulic cylinders spaced apart, a pair of piston rods for the hydraulic cylinders, means for supporting the piston rods in suspended parallel position from a fixed suppair of collars adjustably secured adjacent the upper end of each of the hydraulic cylinders, a step-ladder hingedly and slidably supported by bands disposed about the hydraulic cylinders and between the above mentioned collars, and means for locking the ladder relative to the cylinders when lifting effort is applied to the ladder.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of hydraulic cylinders, pistons and piston rods associated with the cylinders,

said piston rods being suspended from a fixed support, a ladder slidably hinged relative to the cylinders and permitted to have limited movement longitudinally of the cylinders, trunnion wheels adjustably secured to the bottom end of the side rails of the ladder, lifting means attachable to the upper end of the ladder, said ladder being so arranged relative to the hydraulic cylinders that the ladder will move into a vertical position and be locked relative to the cylinders when lifting effort is applied to the ladder.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of verticallyand parallelly disposed hydraulic cylinders thatare spaced apart, pistons and suspended piston rods associated with the cylinders and adapted for having the cylinders moved longitudinally of the pistons and piston rods, a ladder hingedly and slidably secured to the hydraulic cylinders, trunnion wheels adjustably secured to the lower ends of the side rails of the ladder, means for lifting the hydraulic cylinders and the ladder, and means for causing the ladder to assume a vertical position and to be locked in a vertical position between the hydraulic cylinders when lifting effort is applied to the ladder.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of hydraulic cylinders, a vertically adjustable base associated with the lower ends of the hydraulic cylinders, inclined entrance ways outwardly extending and secured to the base, a step ladder hingedly secured upon its upper end to bands that are slidably secured to the hydraulic cylinders, trunnion wheels adjustably secured to the lower end of the side rails of the ladder, means attachable to the upper end of the ladder for lifting the ladder, and means for causing the ladder to assume a vertical position and to be locked on its lowerend relative to the hydraulic cylinders when lifting effort is applied to the ladder.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of hydraulic cylinders normally spaced apart adjacent their lower ends by a cross bar, trunnion wheel receiving inclined entrance ways outwardly extending from the cross bar, a ladder having hand rails and that is slidably and hingedly secured to the upper end of the hydraulic cylinders, trunnion wheels associated with the lower end of the side rails of the ladder, means for lifting the assembly, said ladder being so arranged relative to the hydraulic cylinders that the same will automatically be released from the cylinders and move outward at its base relative to the lower ends of the hydraulic cylinders when the assembly reaches the ground or sidewalk, and means for causing the ladder to assume a verticalposition and for causing the trunnion wheels associated with the side rails of the ladder for climbing the inclined entrance ways when lifting effort is applied to the ladder.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of spaced parallel hydraulic cylinders vertically disposed, pistons and piston rods associated with the cylinders, means for suspending the piston rods from a support, a ladder hingedly and slidably secured between the pistons, trunnion wheels adjustably secured to the lower end of the ladder, base members secured to the base of each cylinder, a cross member connecting the base members, means associated with the base members and cross member to permit adjustment of the base members to the contour of the surface. of the ground or sidewalk, releasable means for retaining the assembly in elevated position, means between the cylinders and the pistons for permitting a slow descent of the assembly when released, locking means for retaining the ladder vertically between the cylinders, said locking means automatically releasing the ladder when contacting the ground or sidewalk, and automatically relocking the ladder in the original vertical position when lifting ef fort is applied, means associated with the cylinder base members for permitting the lower end of the ladder when released to roll from the base member and means for raising the entire assembly to the elevated position, saidmeans being attachable to the ladder.

7. In a device of the class described, having a pair of spaced parallel hydraulic cylinders disposed about suspended piston rods and pistons and having a ladder placed therebetween, the combination with the cylinder assembly and the ladder of means for slidably supporting the ladder adjacent the upper end of the cylinders, means for hingedly securing the ladder to the ladder supporting means, means adjacent the upper end of the cylinder for limiting the movement of the ladder longitudinally of the cylinders, trunnion wheels adjustably secured to the lower end of the ladder, hand manipulative means for locking the assembly in the elevated position and for releasing the assembly from the elevated position, means within the cylinder for permitting slow descent of the assembly when released, foot members secured to the lower end of the cylinders, a cross member secured to the foot members, means associated with the foot members and cross member for adjusting the cross member to surface contour of the ground or sidewalk, runways secured to and inclined from the foot members, means for locking the ladder vertically between the cylinders, said means automatically releasing the ladder onto the runways when the assembly strikes the ground surface and means attachable. to the ladder for raising the assembly to the elevated position. 7

8. In a device of the class described, having a pair of spaced' parallel hydrauliccylinders disposed about suspended piston rods and pistons, and having a ladder placed therebetween,thecombination' with the cylinder assembly and ladder or ladder supporting bands slidably disposed about the upper end of the cylinders, means for hingedly securing the ladder to thebands, ladder movement restricting bands adjustably fixed about each cylinder and placed one on each side of the ladder supporting bands, trunnion wheels adjustably secured to the lower end of the ladder, a hand manipulated means secured to an elevated platform for locking the assembly in the elevated position, and for releasing the assembly from the elevated position, said means having a goose-neck extending therefrom and coacting with means secured about and adjacent the lower end of the cylinders for retaining the assembly in elevated position, means between the piston and cylinder for permitting slow descent of the assembly when released, foot members disposed about the lower end of the cylinders, said foot members including a fastening plate having a plurality of slotted holes and ears for securing thereto a runway, a cross member secured between the foot members and adjustable to the surface contour of the ground or sidewalk, runwayssecured to the above mentioned ears of the foot members, means for locking the ladder vertically between the cylinders including a block secured to the cross member, a rod extending vertically through the block and terminating in a goose-neck at the upper end, the lower end of the rod depending and automatically releasing the ladder onto the runways upon contact with a surface and means attachable to the ladder for raising the assembly to the elevated position.

EDWARD GROSS. 

